Italeri Group Build Sept. 1, 2006-Jan. 15 2007

Comet wrote:

Great work there Eric Less is more when it comes to weathering in my opinion......a pin wash and a little dry brushing and that'll be one sweet looking Marder I think you should keep this GB going as I feel like building another Italeri kit now

I think you read my mind on both comments.

tigerman wrote:

Go Scott, go.......go Scott, go..........Get 'er done.

LOL  I have a couple of hours to work on it today.... with a little luck the paint goes on this afternoon! 

espins1 wrote:

Well, I broke down and ordered some grill screens for the Panther Ausf. A last Friday, they should be here any day now.

Good call, they really make a difference.

tigerman wrote:

espins1 wrote: Well, I broke down and ordered some grill screens for the Panther Ausf. A last Friday, they should be here any day now.  Good call, they really make a difference.

In the mean time, I'm working on the engine and engine bay.  I've been a Tiger nut for a while but the Panther is really starting to grow on me. 

I used to be a King Tiger freak, but always liked the Panther. Then after being involved in the Panther build and finishing my G, I realized that it became my new favorite.

Gun Tech wrote:

Hey Scott, I think I remember you saying in another tread that you can spray a coat of future and then paint over it.       Is it working with Tamiya acrylic handbrushed?    It would be a shame to paint a roadwheel rubber rim and having my "steady when not critical" hand messing up my paint job

I generally use Future as a "protective" coat after I have painted and to make the surface of the model glossy so the decals adhere better.  It also provides for a nice layer between the paint and the oil washes and weathering that are to follow.  I dip my canopies in future, let them cure for a couple days, then mask and airbrush the canopy frames, works great as well.  I know others who use Future as the basecoat before they spray on Alclad II with good results.  

I haven't brush painted over future, but I would imagine that it work work just fine.

tigerman wrote:

Glyn, whatcha going to build next.

I'v got a Trumpeter KV-1 on the go atm but have a couple of Italeri  234's lined up........Jean read my mind

Just got home from work and my grill screens have arrived! 

Here are 3 shots of the freshly painted engine.  I think I did a decent job of matching the color, although these photos don't really come close to what it really looks like.  In fact, this is an interesting study in how lighting can greatly impact the way colors appear in photography.  Two of the shots are without the flash, only with a couple of lamps with regular light bulbs which add a lot of yellow to the color, and one with the flash in addition to the lights.  

I'm going to do a heavy oil wash to grime up the engine and engine compartment and need to paint some of the accessories in there black.

For those of you that aren't aware, the website below is fantastic for matching up colors and finding equivalents in different paint brands.  It also has some great luftwaffe color charts. 

http://ipmsstockholm.org/colorcharts/stuff_eng_colorcharts_fs.htm

I'm going to attempt to paint the engine compartment after dinner and get the grill screens installed tonight so I'll either have more photos later tonight or tomorrow. 

Man, it still kills me that the photo of the engine paint doesn't look anything like what it really looks like.... 

I took my barrel last night and decided to dip it in Future as I really want to have a good looking plastic barrel (usually use AM Aluminum) and I must say I'm happy with the results.  Just a light sanding tonight and I can permanently attach it to the turret.  All that's left before I lay down paint is to attach the grill screens.  I was starting to get tired around 10pm last night and didn't want to risk making a mistake with those puppies. 

I also decided not to use the track brackets on the turret as I don't want to cover up the gorgeous turret numbers (223 I believe). 

The end is in sight my friends! 

Edit: I finally have a color picture of the Panther Ausf. A engine compartment. 

Wow Scott, how big is that model you're doing? That is incredible!

Is this build being extended? I still have some Italeri kits I can start if it is. I don't want to submit anything new if I won't have any time to finish it before this Build ends....

Duke Maddog wrote:

Wow Scott, how big is that model you're doing? That is incredible!

heh heh That photo is from the restoration photos of the Littlefield Panther.    It's so tough to find good quality color photos from WWII, especially of German stuff.

I'm not quite sure how to paint the details on the engine, so I'm just going to wing it and make it look...well.. enginey. 

Duke Maddog wrote:

Wow Scott, how big is that model you're doing? That is incredible!   Is this build being extended? I still have some Italeri kits I can start if it is. I don't want to submit anything new if I won't have any time to finish it before this Build ends....

Yeah, go ahead, I'm leaving it open until it dies out.

tigerman wrote:

Duke Maddog wrote: Wow Scott, how big is that model you're doing? That is incredible!   Is this build being extended? I still have some Italeri kits I can start if it is. I don't want to submit anything new if I won't have any time to finish it before this Build ends.... Yeah, go ahead, I'm leaving it open until it dies out.

Great!

The PE screens are soaking in vinegar, going to rinse them off in a sec.  Quick question, I know a lot of people recommend priming PE parts, is it safe to assume it's necessary with the PE grill screens as well?

And as far as I can tell, dipping the plastic gun barrel in future worked great! 

I never primed mine.    What is it supposed to do when you soak PE in vinegar?

Good to know for the barrel

Gun Tech wrote:

I never primed mine.    What is it supposed to do when you soak PE in vinegar? Good to know for the barrel

Just cleaning the oils etc off the PE, similar to using rubbing alcohol.

Ya, I like the future trick with the barrel, just a quick dip, let it drip for a sec, then blow out the muzzle break and voila!  I put it in one of my little clamps that my wife picked up for me that have a magnet on one side and stuck it up in my paint booth to hang overnight.  I'm very please with the results.